Cedar of Lebanon Seeds from Alchemy Works - Seeds for Magick Herbs and Pagan Gardens

Cedrus libani Cedrus libani
Cedar of Lebanon
This tree has been beloved by humans for many ages. Ancient residents of Tyre, Byblos, and Sidon built their houses and ships from this tree, and the Egyptians used it for sarcophagi and the ceremonial barge of the Sun-god Amun-Ra. In Ur, Mesopotamia (now Iraq), this tree was connected with a local mother goddess, but when the idol-maker Abraham left Ur and planted a grove sacred to YHVH, the seeds he chose were these. King Solomon built the Temple from this wood, and asherahs, goddess figures that were "illegally" displayed in Hebrew temples all over the ancient lands of Israel and Judea, were made from this wood (it is said that while Solomon's Temple stood, the Sun and Moon shone with equal light, representing the equality of masculine and feminine spirituality). The Hebrew Bible designated this Sun plant as the king of trees. The cedar of Lebanon was also associated with Baal, who is often depicted holding this tree and whom some consider the equivalent of the storm aspect of Set. The wood was much used by the Phoenicians and ancient Greeks (who saw in it a symbol of Persephone's time in the Underworld). This tree is often connected to Sun gods, although in Turkey it was traditionally associated with Artemis. Top

Cedrus libani In the Dark Ages, Jews burned this wood to celebrate the New Year. It's great for Solomonic magick, good for purification and protection, and represents incorruptibility and eternal life in the language of flowers. Many incorporate it into celebrations of Imbolc, and it is said to repel snakes. The needles of this tree grow in a spiral, a shape historically associated not only with goddess forms but also with the Sun. This all-purpose tree for magick also makes a good specimen tree in a yard and a great bonsai tree. It's very similar to Atlas cedar (see essential oils) but has a thicker trunk. A native of Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, cedars of Lebanon have been cultivated in Europe since the 1700s. Top

How to Grow It

Sow these seeds in a paper towel that has been wet and wrung out. Fold, gently press together, and put in an open baggie. Refrigerate for 28 days, then take out and sow at room temp for staggered germination at a total rate of 30%. Handle these seeds carefully--they are easily damaged. This tree is pretty much pest-free but is sensitive to fungus, so watch out especially for damping off at seedling stage. This tree will grow in zones 5-10 (throughout the temperate and warm areas of North America, down to -20F/-28C) and especially enjoys growing in mountains 3280-7000ft/1000-2000m high, but it doesn't like high humidity or shade. This is a slow growing plant, gaining only 1 ft/30cm per year when it is established, and it never needs pruning to maintain its generally pyramidal shape. When the trees get much older, they will become flat-topped and spread horizontally, taking on a beautiful shape. This will become a big tree, getting up to 60ft/18m high and 40ft/12m wide, and will make cones every other year once it reaches maturity. General growing info. Top

Cedrus libani
10 seeds
$3.75

Uses in Witchcraft & Magic:

Solomonic Magic
Honoring YHVH, Artemis, and Sun deities
Purification
Protection Spells
Sun herb

Alchemy Works products are offered for use in spiritual, ritual, meditative, and magical practices, not for medicinal or cosmetic purposes. The information on this website is provided for its folkloric, historic, and magical value. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.